Anatomy of the 'sickest play' in NBA history

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May 30, 1991. Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks, 40 seconds to go in the first half with Chicago down 45-40 in Game 3.

Michael Jordan guarded by John Starks is "chased into the corner" and a double team by former teammate Charles Oakley, spins baseline takes one dribble and detonates off two feet over the top of future Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing for the and-1.

The comments on the YouTube video pose the question: "Is this the sickest play" in NBA history.

Let's break it down.

The Players in 1991

• Michael Jordan was on the march to his first NBA title in 1991. He was a two-time NBA MVP (1988 and 1991), five-time NBA scoring champion (1987-91) and in this context, two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion (1987 and 1988).
• Patrick Ewing was a two-time All-NBA Defensive Second Teamer, three-time All NBA Second Teamer and four time NBA All-Star and one of the league best shot blockers.
• John Starks was yet to be named to the All-NBA Defensive second team (1993) but was regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and was never afraid to go right at Jordan.
• Charles Oakley was already an All-NBA Defensive second teamer in 1988 playing alongside Jordan at the Bulls. Oakley's reputation as an enforcer  and his ability to defend was already well established.

Anatomy of the Play

1. Jordan catches the ball on the left wing on a pass from John Paxson.
2. Starks closes in a good defensive stance to deny the baseline as Knicks veteran Kiki VanDeWeghe comes with a hard double free throw line extended.
3. It forces Jordan to rip the ball high-low left to right and attack Starks to the baseline off the dribble.
4. He has two tough, pressured left-handed dribbles as Oakley comes hard for the double team on the block and Starks hand checking his right hip.
5. As far as double teams go, this is near text book, turning Jordan back towards the sideline in a retreat dribble.
6. Oakley bit and closed out harder as Starks tried to cover the retreat.
7. And then Michael Jordan.
8. Starks stumbled on Jordan's hesitation, helped by Oakley's push in the back and out of the play as he tried to recover, but the double team was cooked as Jordan spun to the baseline with a left hand dribble.
9. Jordan gathered with his left hand outside the paint, behind the backboard, switched the ball to his right hand as Patrick Ewing came to help and elevated right over the top of the 7-foot (2.13m) centre, who jumped vertical with both hands above the rim.
10. He fouled Jordan as he absolutely destroyed the rim with a cupped right-handed tomahawk.

So, is the question answered? Without doubt. The sheer athleticism, agility, spinning out of two double teams, maintaining balance with the left-handed hesitation, not hooking Oakley on the spin, tightroping the baseline, gathering with one hand behind the backboard and finishing with the opposite hand over one of the greatest shot blockers in history, getting fouled and then making the free throw in a decisive playoff game against an arch rival on the way to his first championship.

It doesn't get any sicker.